Regine's dad passed away; Tracy Torres discovers Malaysia

•Tessie condoles with Regine over pa’s death

•Tracy Torres discovers Malaysia as ‘truly Asia’

Wake-uppers:

Seen: Spotted in Bohol last Thursday (Feb 6) was actor John Lloyd Cruz. John Lloyd together with Unilab people visited the devastated Maribojoc Central Elem. School for the school rehabilitation program, a campaign being undertaken by the product brand he endorses. John Lloyd has been an endorser of Biogesic for many years. 

John Llyod Cruz Photo: Malou Sombrio

Scene: Mikey Gatal Charity Inc. and OMG Friends in America had a successful outreach program in Canmano Elementary School in Sagbayan town last Jan.26. Schoolkids received apples and slippers.

Scene: Who plays flappy bird? More Boholanos turned into Facebook to express their feelings on the delightful yet crushingly difficult mobile game flappy bird. Flappy bird's premise is simple: you tap the screen anywhere to make a pixelated bird move upwards. Hitting any of the green pipes on your path means game over. The game's only goal is to get the highest score possible. This game almost made me throw my phone into the wall today...Ha! Ha! Ha!

***

Gerry Velasquez, the father of singer-actress Regine Velasquez, passed away last Monday. He was 76.

Regine confirmed the news on Instagram: “The leader of the band, Mang Gerry, joined his creator at 1:39 p.m. Thank you for praying for him during all this time that he has been fighting for his life. God bless you all.”

Fellow celebrities, fans and friends turned to social media site Twitter to give their sympathy and express their grief to the Asia’s Song Bird over the death of his father who is also well known in the music industry for supporting her daughter since she started her career in music.

It was Mang Gerry who trained Regine by making her sing while submerged neck-deep in the sea. Unlike other stage parents, he avoided the limelight and stayed in the background throughout Regine’s career.

Mang Gerry’s connection to Bohol was his visit to the province in 2010 together with Regine and Ogie Alcasid for a holiday.

“Ganda pala dito sa Bohol,” Mang Gerry told Tessie Labunog of Loboc Riverwatch Floating Restaurant (+638537-9460/+639173060010) while cruising the Loboc River, the river of life.

Tessie was saddened by the news that Mang Gerry passed away.

“He’s soft spoken,” said Tessie. “I really admired Mang Gerry’s love and dedication for Regine.”

***

St. Augustine said, “The world is a book, those who do not travel read only one page.” Seeing the world provides a source of education that you can’t get in school. Traveling is so important for the soul because it opens the eyes to new environments, the mind to new cultures and the heart to new experiences.

And that is what Bohol’s popular make-up artist and hairstylist Tracy Remolador-Torres wants to do this summer- to explore other countries.

Tracy Remolador-Torres (at the 88-storey Petronas Towers) feels the “truly Asian experience” in Malaysia.....Courtesy: Tracy Torres

“Life is beautiful and I don’t want to be stuck in the rut so I need to travel,” shares Tracy.

Tracy has visited Malaysia, a fascinating holiday destination in Asia offering something for everyone to enjoy. 

and with Boholano nurse in Malaysia Ferlida Galve Aceron during their food trip in KL.  Courtesy: Tracy Torres

“Selamat datang...welcome to Malaysia!” nurse Ferlida Galve Aceron, Tracy’s friend, warmly welcomed him in Kuala Lumpur (KL).

No, Tracy didn’t say “Malay ko, malay mo, malay nating lahat, Malaysia!” a popular Miss Universe funny introduction in gay beauty pageants, but he was amazed to discover how developed the country is, yet rich and varied in cultural tradition.

In KL, the country’s capital, Tracy visited the earliest grand buildings around Merdeka Square overshadowed by soaring modern landmarks notably the Petronas Towers that wouldn’t be out of place in Hong Kong or New York.

KL is excitingly diverse Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures: the conversations heard on the street, the huge range of food, and the profusion of mosques, Buddhist temples and Hindu shrines.

 “The other essential component of Kuala Lumpur is the soul of its people who give the city its distinctive and truly Asian character, it’s truly Asia,” says Tracy.

For Tracy, Malaysia is bursting with color, pulsating with life.

“I like Malaysia jud, it’s amazing!” admires Tracy.

Tracy wants to revisit Malaysia to explore the interior, the west and east coast, Sabah and Sarawak region. But before that happens, Tracy plans to visit Hongkong and Macau this year for a holiday.

***

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.

Tête-à-tête with Atty. Midas Marquez

• Clement is Region’s Outstanding SK

• Tête-à-tête with Atty. Midas Marquez

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Spotted in Bohol last week were Pinoy Dream Academy runner-up Ronnie Liang, Viva Hotbabe Jaycee Parker and Kapamilya star Aldred Gatchalian during Lila’s town fiesta.

           

Scene: The nation’s first Miss World, Megan Young, is back in the Philippines, her home country. Young was treated to a warm welcome by hundreds of people who had gathered at the airport to get a glimpse of their Miss World. Young was all smiles as she waved and greet to cheering fans during last Friday’s parade.

Scene: CenterStage band is getting ready for another big event on Oct. 15, the Foundation Day of Bohol Island State University.

***

While covering the fire incident in Poblacion 1 last Tuesday, Oct. 8, I chanced upon Tracy Remolador Torres who went there to see his friends. He asked me if I was able to read his Facebook status about the Bohol Cultural Center, which I honestly said with all honesty, “no.”

Tracy and other friends are “complaining” about being uncomfortable at the backstage of the Bohol Cultural Center. The experience, according to them, is like inside a furnace.

By the way, here is Tracy’s message (verbatim) addressed to Gov. Edgar Chatto and other concerned officials:

Tracy Torres

TO GOVERNOR EDGAR CHATTO AND OTHER CONCERNED OFFICIALS:

THE BOHOL CULTURAL CENTER IS ONE OF THE PROVINCE'S MOST USED FACILITY WHICH IN TURN GENERATES A LOT OF INCOME.

HOWEVER, UNTIL NOW, ITS BACKSTAGE LACK CERTAIN EQUIPMENTS SUCH AS AIRCONDITIONING UNIT, ELECTRIC FANS, LIGTHS AND CABINETS ETC.PERFORMERS, PAGEANT CANDIDATES, MAKE UP ARTISTS ETC SUFFER FROM ITS POOR FACILITIES.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, WE HUMBLY ASK FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND HAVE A BLESSED DAY AHEAD KUDOS,KUDOS,KUDOS BOHOLANOS!!!

(Note: Tracy, a formal letter or to set an appointment with Gov. Chatto will greatly help. I am sure he would listen.)

***

Spotted in Tagbilaran City last Friday, Oct. 11, was Supreme Court Administrator Atty. Midas Marquez.

We see him all the time on TV who looks so cool despite the great stress in his job, you know announcing a controversial decision of the Supreme Court of which he’s the spokesperson, except when he accidentally pushed a microphone in a presscon in 2011 which became viral over the Internet and other social media sites.

Marquez came to Bohol not for a vacation but for a seminar (he was a resource person) initiated by the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC), an environmental non-government organization committed to helping communities uphold their constitutional right to a healthful and balanced ecology.

Supreme Court Administrator Atty. Midas Marquez with your VRS.  Courtesy: Clarence J. Pesquira

Our tête-à-tête led to the judiciary's version of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

He said he is already investigating, albeit discreetly, alleged corruption in the judiciary perpetrated by a certain “Ma’am Arlene".

He also explained that there are no public funds involved in the alleged transactions. He also said that when he checked the facts of reports of 50 rooms being booked in Manila Peninsula, it turned out to be false.

“Palagay ko small time ito compared kay Napoles. Pangalawa, ang Napoles incident involved sa public funds kaban ng bayan, dito naman walang public funds involved ito. Simple graft corruption ito...dapat maimbestigahan,” explained Marquez.

Marquez said that the investigation is moving and that before people will be named, they have to conduct a more extensive investigation.

He said that there are three different "Arlenes" being looked into in the investigation. Initial findings pointed to a clerk from the Court of Appeals, a former employee at the Manila Regional Trial Court, and a known contact from Manila City Hall.

“Base sa ating unang imbestigasyon, mayroong three ‘Arlenes’...ayaw kong pangalanan muna kasi very raw yung information natin,” said Marquez.

Marquez also said that based on the initial findings, the issue started because of the hotly contested PJA elections. It started as a smear campaign against someone aspiring for the presidency of the Philippine Judges Association (PJA), which was picked up by some columnists in newspapers.

During the convention and election of officers of  PJA (Judge Ralph Lee of RTC Quezon City won as President, while Boholana Marlou Magdoza-Malagar of RTC Manila was elected VP for administration), Marquez reminded the judges of their role in the society.

“Doon sa pagtatapos ng convention at election ng Philippine Judges Association, medyo sinabihan natin ang ating mga judges na sila ay mga huwes at  hindi pulitiko. At dapat hindi mangyayari yun sa judiciary. Nakakalungkot dahil ito sana ang pagkakataon na umangat ang Judiciary. Kaso dahil sa election na ito, dahil sa paratang na yan, pati na ang Judiciary bumabagsak talaga,” lamented Marquez.

Incidentally, after we talked, we heard the bells ringing at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, St. Joseph Cathedral and other churches in the Diocese of Tagbilaran as part of the national sounding of church bells against pork barrel called by the church-based group Church People's Alliance against Pork Barrel.

***

Clement Paulinel Ingking was selected as Region VII’s The Outstanding Barangay Official of Year 2013 or TOBOY for SK Chairperson Category on Oct. 10 in Cebu City.

“It was like in the Cloud Nine and feeling nako worth it tanan efforts, initiatives and sacrifices that I made in order to pursue my passion of public service,” Clement told VRS.

Clement Ingking

At 15, Clement was elected SK barangay chairman of Booy in Tagbilaran City in 2010.

Clement initiated worthy projects for the youth in his barangay such as zero out of school youth in Booy,  seminars on youth development, livelihood and entrepreneurship, disaster coordination and health task force, education services, moral recovery activities and anti-drug abuse campaign, sports program and community immersion activities.

Unlike other officials who are tardy coming to the barangay hall, Clement has his presence in the barangay hall every vacant time during class days.

“Yes, he has perfect attendance,” confirmed Booy Barangay Captain Jun Telmo. “We are proud of him that the winner came from our barangay of Booy.”  Telmo is seeking reelection this October.  

Clement has the ability to lead, motivate and influence people. Being a good leader for him means being strong by taking the risks yet, still being optimistic. He also motivated and influenced his SK and KK members and the barangay constituents as a whole.

“I want them to be a part of an active crusade for change in the system of government and let them be participative in everything,” shared Clement.

Is he running for a higher position?

“I’m running for barangay kagawad in order to continue serving not only the youth but for the whole community na,” said Clement. “Even though wala nay SK (Pres. Aquino has signed into law a bill postponing the SK elections scheduled on Oct. 28- LPU), I’ll make sure mapadayon nako ang kalambu-an sa community.”

The recent award is another feather to his well-decorated cap.  He was chosen as The Outstanding Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman (TOSKA) in 2012, Mr. and Miss Teen Bohol 2012 Top 5, ICM’s Kiddie Idol Champion in 2006, ICM’s Model Quest 2007 (male category champion), Mr. Alturas 2011, Mr. Bohol Island State University (BISU) FreshFace 2011, Lakandula ng BISU 2011, Mr. Sophie Paris 2012 and Mr. BISU-Main Campus 2012 first runner-up.

TOBOY is designed to give recognition to barangay officials who have shown exemplary performance in the discharge of their functions. It is jointly undertaken by the Local Administration and Development Program Alumni Association of the Philippines (LADPAAP) Region 7 Chapter, the DILG and the Liga ng mga Barangay of Region 7.

***

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.